Art has long served as a vehicle for radical expression, dissent, and social change. Throughout history, artists have used their work to challenge societal norms, question authority, and advocate for justice. Two such individuals, Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte, have made their mark not just in the world of art, but in the realm of activism, blending creativity with a fierce commitment to peace, human rights, and social justice.
Both Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte are not household names in the traditional sense of the art world, but their contributions go far beyond conventional artistic success. They represent a unique fusion of creativity, activism, and social responsibility. Their efforts to raise awareness about global issues, such as nuclear disarmament and human rights, through art and direct action have left an indelible mark on the movements they are passionate about.
This article delves into the lives, artistic endeavors, and activism of Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte, exploring how their paths intersected and how their combined efforts have challenged the status quo.
The Early Lives of Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte
To understand the art and activism of Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte, it’s essential to first look at their formative years and the influences that shaped their perspectives on the world.
Carol Gilbert’s Early Life and Path to Activism
Born into a world shaped by war and conflict, Carol Gilbert grew up during the Cold War era. From an early age, she was acutely aware of the looming threat of nuclear war, a reality that would influence her worldview and later drive her activism. A devout Catholic, Gilbert’s faith played a crucial role in shaping her sense of responsibility toward humanity. She was drawn to the idea of nonviolent resistance as a means of opposing war and promoting peace, a concept rooted in Christian teachings.
In the 1970s, as the Vietnam War raged on and the anti-war movement gained momentum in the United States, Gilbert began to actively participate in protests and demonstrations. She joined the Catholic Worker Movement, an organization founded by Dorothy Day that focused on helping the poor and promoting social justice through direct action. The Catholic Worker Movement was an important influence on Gilbert’s early activism, and it was through this involvement that she began to view her faith as not just a spiritual calling but also a political one.
Artdeth Platte’s Beginnings in Social Justice and Art
Like Gilbert, Artdeth Platte’s journey toward radical activism was shaped by a deep sense of justice and responsibility. Born and raised in a working-class family, Platte was introduced to the struggles of marginalized communities early on. Her experiences growing up in a time of economic hardship and social upheaval gave her a strong sense of empathy for the underprivileged.
Platte’s passion for art was evident from an early age. She pursued a career in visual arts, specializing in mixed media, sculpture, and installation pieces. Her artwork was heavily influenced by the social and political issues she witnessed around her, particularly the struggles of workers’ rights, civil rights, and the growing tensions of the nuclear arms race.
As Platte honed her artistic skills, she became increasingly aware of the power of visual expression to challenge injustices. Her art became an outlet for her activism, and she embraced the role of the artist as a storyteller, using her work to highlight the voices and experiences of the oppressed. Like Gilbert, Platte’s faith played a significant role in her commitment to peace, and the two would eventually collaborate on many acts of civil disobedience and resistance.
The Intersection of Art and Activism: How Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte United
The partnership between Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte was rooted in their shared commitment to nonviolent resistance and nuclear disarmament. In the late 1980s, both women became involved in the Plowshares Movement, a Christian pacifist group dedicated to opposing nuclear weapons and militarism through direct action.
The Plowshares Movement, founded by the Berrigan brothers (Philip and Daniel), takes its name from the biblical prophecy found in the Book of Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” The group’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that nuclear weapons are incompatible with Christian values and that disarming such weapons is a moral imperative.
Gilbert and Platte were drawn to the Plowshares Movement’s combination of faith and activism, as well as its emphasis on nonviolence. For both women, opposing nuclear weapons was not just a political stance, but a deeply spiritual one. They viewed the existence of these weapons as an affront to humanity and the earth, and they believed that it was their moral duty to take action.
Acts of Civil Disobedience: The Sacred Art of Protest
Gilbert and Platte, along with other members of the Plowshares Movement, participated in several high-profile acts of civil disobedience to protest the development and deployment of nuclear weapons. Their activism was not without risk; many members of the movement, including Gilbert and Platte, faced arrest and imprisonment for their actions. But for these women, the risks were worth it if it meant drawing attention to the dangers of nuclear proliferation and the destructive power of war.
One of the most significant events in their activist careers occurred in 2002 when Gilbert, Platte, and fellow activist Jackie Hudson (another member of the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids) participated in what would later be known as the Sacred Earth and Space Plowshares action. The three women entered a Minuteman III missile silo in Colorado, which housed a nuclear warhead capable of immense destruction.
Dressed in white to symbolize peace, the trio hammered on the silo’s concrete structure and poured their own blood on the missile to symbolize the bloodshed caused by war. Their act of resistance was both literal and symbolic—they were physically disarming the missile, albeit briefly, while also making a powerful statement about the sanctity of life and the immorality of weapons of mass destruction.
Their arrest and subsequent trial garnered significant media attention, as well as support from peace activists around the world. During the trial, the women argued that their actions were a form of “symbolic disarmament”, an attempt to live out the biblical mandate to “beat swords into plowshares.” They were convicted and sentenced to prison, but their actions inspired many within the anti-war and anti-nuclear movements.
The Role of Art in the Anti-Nuclear Movement
For Artdeth Platte, art played a crucial role in her activism. As an artist, Platte understood the importance of visual symbolism in conveying messages of resistance and hope. Her artwork often reflected themes of peace, justice, and the fragility of life, serving as both a medium of personal expression and a tool for social change.
One of the ways in which Platte’s art intersected with her activism was through the use of performance art during protests. She believed that art had the power to engage people on an emotional level, creating a connection between the artist, the audience, and the subject matter. Whether through the symbolic acts of disarmament or through her sculptures and installations, Platte used art to challenge viewers to think critically about the world around them.
Her sculptures, often created from repurposed materials, carried deep symbolic meaning. For example, a piece made from dismantled weapons might serve as a critique of militarism, while another using discarded everyday items could highlight issues of consumerism and environmental degradation. Platte’s ability to infuse her art with meaning allowed her to reach a wide audience and engage people in conversations about justice, peace, and the need for systemic change.
Carol Gilbert, though not an artist in the traditional sense, also understood the power of symbolism in protest. She recognized that acts of civil disobedience, like the Plowshares actions, were a form of performance art in their own right—deliberately orchestrated to provoke thought, elicit emotion, and inspire action. For Gilbert, the act of pouring blood on a missile was not just an act of defiance, but a sacred ritual, one that invited people to reflect on the cost of war and the value of human life.
Imprisonment and Continued Resistance
The imprisonment of Gilbert, Platte, and other activists in the Plowshares Movement did not deter them from continuing their resistance. In fact, their time behind bars only strengthened their resolve to fight for justice. Both women used their time in prison as an opportunity for reflection, spiritual growth, and advocacy. They corresponded with other activists, wrote letters, and continued to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons.
In many ways, their imprisonment became another form of protest. By refusing to be silent or passive in the face of their punishment, Gilbert and Platte demonstrated that their commitment to peace and justice extended far beyond the confines of any physical space. They used their voices to speak out against the prison-industrial complex, drawing connections between the oppression of marginalized communities and the broader systems of violence that perpetuate war and inequality.
Legacy and Impact
The work of Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte represents a unique convergence of art, faith, and activism. Their commitment to nonviolent resistance and their use of symbolic action have left a lasting legacy in the anti-nuclear movement, inspiring countless individuals to challenge the status quo and fight for a more just and peaceful world.
Their willingness to risk their own freedom in order to bring attention to the horrors of war and nuclear weapons is a testament to their deep moral conviction. For both women, the fight for justice was not just a political endeavor, but a deeply spiritual one—a calling to protect the sanctity of life and to stand against the forces of violence and destruction.
As the world continues to grapple with issues of militarism, environmental degradation, and systemic injustice, the work of Carol Gilbert and Artdeth Platte serves as a reminder of the power of art and activism to inspire change. Their story is one of courage, creativity, and unwavering commitment to a vision of peace—a vision that continues to inspire those who believe in the possibility of a better world.